Other countries have also launched antitrust investigations into Apple after the European Union forced the company to make major changes to how European users use iOS and the App Store. Now, a Brazilian court has ruled that Apple must allow iPhone users in Brazil to sideload iOS within 90 days.
A federal judge in Brazil ruled on Wednesday that Apple will have to open its iOS ecosystem to third-party apps in Brazil, as the company has done in the European Union, Brazilian newspaper Valor Econômico reported. The judge believed that the "restrictions" Apple imposed on developers could prevent new competitors from entering the field.
In November 2024, Brazil's antitrust regulator "Cade" ruled that Apple can no longer prevent developers from selling content and distributing applications outside Brazil's AppStore. The company will have 20 days to comply with Brazil's antitrust laws or face fines of more than $40,000 per day.
Surprisingly, Apple appealed the decision and the judge ruled that the ban was unnecessary, giving the company more time to discuss the case. At the time, Apple said the request to implement changes to the App Store was not urgent and would affect the company's business. Last month, Apple had to hold a public hearing on the case in Brazil.
But now, Judge Pablo Zuniga has ordered that Apple must implement the required changes in Brazil within the next three months. The judge noted that despite Apple's claims, the company "has already fulfilled similar obligations in other countries and has not demonstrated a significant impact or irreparable harm to its business model."
The antitrust investigation into Apple began when Latin American e-commerce giant MercadoLibre accused Apple of forcing developers who offer digital goods or services in its apps to use Apple's own payment system. Other companies, such as Match and Epic Games, which owns Tinder, have also complained to Brazilian regulators about Apple.
An Apple spokesperson told Valor Econômico that the company "believes in dynamic and competitive markets" and that it faces competition "in all areas and jurisdictions" in which it operates, reinforcing its commitment to its users. Apple believes the changes will "compromise" the "privacy and security" of iOS users and said it would appeal the decision.